Fence cap

ABSTRACT

A flexible elongated cap for topping a fence panel. The elongated cap comprises a durable casing surrounding a foam core wherein the casing defines a channel for receiving the upper end of the fence panel. The side walls of the channel are angled inward to provide a clamping affect over the upper end of the fence panel. The cap is aesthetically shaped and is flexible to allow for adaptation to a variety of fence panel shapes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to building constructionproducts and more specifically to an elongated cap for a fence panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Perimeter and accent fencing is extremely popular in residentialhome construction. Homes and apartments, as well as a variety of otherbuildings, often incorporate fencing into their design to createboundaries for foliage displays, pool and garden areas, and pet zones.Additionally, fences are commonly utilized to provide privacy andsecurity by minimizing visual and physical unauthorized access.

[0003] Wood products traditionally have been the primary source ofmaterials for use in fence and deck construction. However, wood productsare becoming increasingly scarce due to the harvesting of trees at everfaster rates and the rather limited rate at which timber resources canbe replenished. Also, environmental concerns and regulations directed toconservation or preservation of forests tend to restrict theavailability of wood products. With the diminishing availability oftimber resources, wood products are becoming increasingly expensive.There is, therefore, a substantial need for long-lasting substituteconstruction materials that can lessen the need to harvest timberresources.

[0004] One potential approach to addressing the above need is to providesubstitute fence and decking products made of plastic, rather than wood.Plastic fence products provide a long-lasting alternative to wood. Inaddition, plastic fence products alleviate the need for costly paintingand repainting. A variety of plastic building products are known. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,603 describes a three-layer syntheticconstruction material made from recycled waste thermoplastic syntheticresin material and cellulose fiber aggregate. This material includesface surfaces consisting essentially of re-hardened fused and rolledthermoplastic synthetic resin material bits, and an intervening corematerial consisting essentially of a compressed non-homogenous mixtureof cellulose aggregate material bits and re-hardened fused thermoplasticsynthetic resin material bits. Such plastic material can be used tocreate fencing elements.

[0005] Some of the essential elements of deck and fence construction arethe railing and post members. The space or section between two posts,the panel, must be substantially solid when a fence is intended toprovide privacy and security. Therefore, panel members need to providean effective screen. The traditional fencepost and rail assemblyincorporating spindle-type panel members is undesirable. However, apanel formed from a series of strategically placed boards provides aneffective barrier.

[0006] Modular boards can easily be employed to construct such a panel,resulting in a long-lasting fence with all of the benefits describedabove for these substitute building materials. As a result of themanufacturing process, however, one feature of modular boards is ahollow interior. This affords a beneficially lightweight plank, but alsocreates an open end that requires covering. When modular boards areemployed as cross-supports or railings, the open ends may be securedagainst a post. When utilized as planks in a vertical panel, a separatecapping device is necessary. Known caps can be effective if planks areadequately spaced to allow for individual coverage and if the panelshave a flat upper edge. However, where a more solid panel or anaesthetically arced panel is desired, such caps are disadvantageous.Furthermore, attachment of individual caps is time consuming and laborintensive.

[0007] A need yet remains in the art for an elongated cap that canadequately cover any fence panel regardless of board spacing or panelarc, that has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, and that can beinstalled quickly and easily. It is to the provision of such a cap thatthe present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Briefly described, in a first preferred form the presentinvention both overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets therecognized need for such a device, by providing an elongated cap for afence panel.

[0009] Generally, the present device is an elongated cap comprising afoam core surrounded by a durable casing. In a preferred form, theelongated cap is flexible to allow for adaptation to a variety of fencepanel shapes. In a preferred form, the cap is aesthetically shaped anddefines a substantially rectangular channel to allow the cap to besecured to the upper edge of a fence panel. Within the scope of thepresent device, it should be understood that the cap could define adifferent shape or style, depending on the shape of the correspondingpanel members and the users preference. Preferably, channel walls areslightly angled toward each other to assist in effectively grippingcorresponding boards, thus allowing the cap to remain secure along thefence panel.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an elongated capfor a fence panel.

[0011] A further object is to provide an elongated cap which securelycovers a fence panel, is strong and sturdy, and is weather-resistant.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible,elongated cap to fit a vertically or horizontally arcuate fence panel.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to provide an elongated capthat can be easily installed and removed.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fence capthat does not require the use of screws/nails and that is aestheticallypleasing.

[0015] Still a further object of the invention is to provide anelongated cap having the strength to withstand external forces, yetremain flexible and lightweight.

[0016] These objects, advantages, and features of the present inventionwill become more apparent upon reading the following specification inconjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0017] The present invention will be better understood by reading theDetailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment with reference to theaccompanying drawing figures, in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the elongated cap according toa preferred form of the invention, where the cap is shown positioned ona board A.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the elongated cap of FIG. 1, wherethe cap is shown secured on a substantially flat fence panel.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elongated cap of FIG. 1, wherethe cap is shown secured on a substantially arcuate fence panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of thepresent invention, specific terminology is employed for the sake ofclarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to thespecific terminology so selected.

[0022] Referring now in detail to the drawing figures, wherein likereference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,FIGS. 1-3 show an elongated cap 10 according to a preferred form of theinvention. The cap 10 preferably comprises a casing 20, a channel 30 anda foam core 40.

[0023] In the preferred form, the elongated cap 10 is a one-piecemodular extrusion wherein the casing 20 is molded plastic surrounding afoam core 40. However, one skilled in the art will recognize thatalternative materials may be used such as, for exemplary purposes only,rubber or glass fiber. Preferably, the casing 20 is formed by aperipheral wall 22 defining an interior cavity 24. The peripheral wall22 generally has a top exterior wall 26, two side exterior walls 28 aand 28 b, and channel walls 30 a, 30 b and 30 c. In the preferred form,the peripheral wall 22 is preferably of sufficient density and thicknessto provide strength and durability yet remain lightweight and flexible.Although the thickness of the peripheral wall 22 may vary, the preferredthickness is 0.010 to 0.100 inches. The casing 20 surrounds the foamcore 40, shaping the three-dimensional cap 10 into the desiredcross-sectional design.

[0024] The channel 30 has an upper wall 30 c and two side walls 30 a and30 b thereby defining corners 36 a and 36 b. The channel 30 issubstantially rectangular shaped and dimensioned to snugly receive aplurality of boards A. Preferably, the upper wall 32 is substantiallyflat to buttress the end of the boards A. To further secure the boards Awithin the channel 30, sidewalls 30 a and 30 b preferably extend fromupper wall 30 c at an angle slightly less than ninety degrees. As such,when the boards A are slid into the channel 30, the sidewalls 30 a and30 b are urged inward onto the board A thereby acting as a claw or clampto secure cap 10 thereto.

[0025] The foam core 40 fills the interior cavity 24 of the elongatedcap 10 thereby providing lightweight and flexible support for theperipheral wall 22. The foam core 40 is preferably formed from 0.6density foam, thus resulting in a formable yet flexible core. Theflexibility of the foam core 40 allows the elongated cap 10 to beadapted to fit a variety of fence panel shapes.

[0026] In use, the elongated cap 10 is preferably positioned with theupper wall 30 c of the channel 30 substantially flush with an uprightboard A. The channel 30, however, may be formed with a sufficient depthto allow for secure positioning of the elongated cap 10 without theupper wall 30 c being substantially flush with an upright board A. Thepre-formed length of elongated cap 10 is preferably trimmed to fitbetween two upright fence posts, as desired. As best seen in FIG. 2, theelongated cap 10 may be utilized substantially along a straight linewherein the boards A of a fence panel are substantially coplanar andwherein the ends of the boards A are substantially parallel. Theelongated cap 10 may also be utilized at a fixed or variable anglewherein the boards of a fence panel may be of substantially equivalentlength, but advance on a slope. As best seen in FIG. 3, the elongatedcap 10 may be utilized on a substantially arcuate fence wherein theboards A of a fence panel are not coplanar. Elongated cap 10 can also beutilized to cover boards that were either manufactured or cut withslight imperfections to provide a level decorative covering.

[0027] In an alternative form, adhesive may be utilized within thechannel 30 to provide a more permanent method of securing the elongatedcap 10 to a fence panel.

[0028] In an alternative form, the elongated cap 10 could be formed witha plurality of fastening apertures to allow a screw, bolt, nail, orother fastening device to extend through at least one of the two sideexterior walls 28 a and 28 b, and through at least one of the respectiveside walls 30 a and 30 b of channel 30, and attach to the board A.

[0029] Although a preferred shape of elongated cap 10 is shown in thefigures, it is contemplated that the elongated cap 10 could be of variedshapes to complement a variety of fence styles and user preferences.

[0030] Having thus described the preferred and alternative forms of thepresent invention, those skilled in the art will readily recognize thatthe within disclosure is exemplary only, and that various otheralternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap for a fence panel, the fence panel havingan upper end, said cap comprising: an elongated casing defining achannel and an interior cavity, said channel being dimensioned forreceiving the upper end of the fence panel therein; and a core materialsubstantially filling said interior cavity.
 2. The cap of claim 1,wherein said channel is further defined by a first side wall, a secondside wall and a third upper wall, wherein said first side wall and saidsecond side wall are generally parallel to each other and wherein saidthird upper wall extends between said first side wall and said secondside wall.
 3. The cap of claim 2, wherein said first side wall and saidsecond side wall extend from said upper wall at an angle between 67.5and 89.9 degrees relative to said upper wall.
 4. The cap of claim 1,wherein said first and second side walls are angled slightly toward eachother.
 5. The cap of claim 1, wherein said first and second side wallsare adapted to grippingly straddle the upper end of the fence panel. 6.The cap of claim 1, wherein said casing comprises PVC and said corematerial comprises polyurethane foam.
 7. The cap of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of fastening throughholes formed through saidcasing and said core material.
 8. An cap for a fence panel having anupper end, comprising: a elongated flexible casing, having a peripheralwall defining a substantially rectangular-shaped channel and an interiorcavity, said channel dimensioned for receiving the upper end of thefence panel; and a core material substantially filling said interiorcavity.
 9. The cap of claim 8, wherein said channel is further definedby a first side wall, a second side wall and a third upper wall, whereinsaid first side wall and said second side wall are substantiallyvertical and wherein said third upper wall is positioned between saidfirst side wall and said second side wall and is substantiallyhorizontal.
 10. The cap of claim 9, wherein said first side wall andsaid second side wall extend from said upper wall at an angle between67.5 and 89.9 degrees relative to said upper wall.
 11. The cap of claim8, wherein said casing is molded plastic.
 12. The cap of claim 8,wherein said core material is foam.
 13. The cap of claim 8, wherein saidperipheral wall of said casing is 0.010-0.100 inches thick.
 14. The capof claim 8, further comprising a plurality of fastening throughholesformed through said casing and said core material.
 15. An flexible capfor a fence panel having an upper end, comprising: an elongated flexiblecasing, having a peripheral wall defining a substantiallyrectangular-shaped channel and an interior cavity, said channeldimensioned for receiving the upper end of the fence panel, said channelfurther defined by a first side wall, a second side wall and a thirdupper wall, wherein said first side wall and said second side wall aresubstantially vertical and wherein said third upper wall is positionedbetween said first side wall and said second side wall and issubstantially horizontal; and a core material substantially filling saidinterior cavity.
 16. The cap of claim 15, wherein said first side walland said second side wall extend from said upper wall at an anglebetween 67.5 and 89.9 degrees relative to said upper wall.
 17. The capof claim 15, wherein said casing is molded plastic.
 18. The cap of claim15, wherein said core material is foam.
 19. The cap of claim 15, whereinsaid peripheral wall of said casing is 0.010-0.100 inches thick.
 20. Thecap of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of fasteningthroughholes formed through said casing and said core material.